abc.net.au/news/australias-billion-dollar-wool-industry-china-processing-model/101680762In a bid to reduce its vulnerability to potential supply chain and trade disruptions, Australia's $3.6-billion wool industry is looking to build onshore wool-processing facilities.
"They were risks that could come about from an emergency animal disease, such as foot-and-mouth disease , or disruptions to market access — either through the impositions of quotas or non-tariff barriers," he said. It would be a significant shift from the current operating model, which sees about 80 per cent of Australian wool shipped directly to China in its greasy form, which is unprocessed wool straight from the sheep's back.
Mr Dawes said the report found the increased Australian labour costs of wet processing wool, in comparison to countries like China, would be offset by reduced freight costs.
The wool the Chinese are pulling over our eyes is 70% polyester.